Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will also have a few tests, including:

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine Levels

Creatinine and BUN are waste products that the kidneys usually remove from the blood. When the kidneys are damaged, the creatinine and BUN levels rise in the blood. A simple blood test can measure these levels.

Other Commonly Ordered Blood Tests

Complete blood count

Calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone

Potassium, uric acid, albumin

Urine Protein Level

During the filtering process, the kidneys usually return protein to the circulation. With chronic kidney disease, the kidneys allow protein to leak into the urine. Different kinds of proteins can leak into the urine. Albumin is a protein that often appears in the urine of people who have chronic kidney disease caused by high blood pressure or diabetes.

Different tests can be used to check for protein in the urine.

24-hour urine protein—measures the amount of protein in urine produced over a 24-hour period

Dipstick for urine protein—measures the amount of protein in a single urine sample taken first thing in the morning

24-hour urine albumin—measures the amount of albumin in a sample of all urine produced in 24 hours

Dipstick for urine albumin—measures the amount of albumin in a single urine sample

Protein-to-creatinine ratio—compares the amount of protein to the amount of creatinine in a urine sample

Albumin-to-creatinine ratio—compares the amount of albumin to the amount of creatinine in a urine sample

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measurement of how well the kidneys are processing wastes. Your doctor can calculate the GFR based on your:

Gender

Age

Body size

Blood creatinine level

The GFR determines the stage of chronic renal disease.

StageGlomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

1Over 90 mL/min (normal)

260 to 89 mL/min (mild decrease)

330 to 59 mL/min (moderate decrease)

415 to 29 mL/min (severe decrease)

5under 15 mL/min (kidney failure or end-stage renal disease)

Urinary Tract Ultrasound or CT Scan

Your doctor may order an ultrasound or a
CT scan
to evaluate your kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These tests can tell your doctor if a kidney stone, tumor, or other structural problem may have caused the chronic kidney disease.

Kidney Biopsy

Your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy, unless you have small kidneys or have end-stage renal disease. During a kidney biopsy, a small piece of kidney tissue is removed and examined under a microscope. The biopsy can tell how much kidney damage has already occurred. It also may determine the cause of your kidney disease.

Special Tests

Your doctor may order the following tests to determine
if there is an
underlying disease causing your chronic kidney disease:

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.